Shocking start for the Valencians who, like two days ago against Andorra, struggled to get into a rhythm. Partizan of the much booed former Peñarroya takes advantage of this to make it 6-17 with 5’18” on the clock. Valencia responds with Thompson taking the lead: partial 12-3 for the hosts with 7 points from the Italian and 18-20 with 100 seconds to play. In the final Valencia has the ball in its hands for two actions to impact the match, but it is Fernando who scores, setting the score at 18-22 after 10′.
Parker from 3 scores the new Serbian +7, Key and Montero close the gap, opening a series of back and forth that keeps two possessions apart between the two teams and the score is 29-31 after a 3-point play by Jones. New partial for the taronja: 11-2 which culminates with a triple from Badio for +3 Valencia at 40-37 with 2’31” to go before the break. Two baskets from Bonga, a triple from Montero and Washington send everyone down to 43 all.
Still a lot of balance on the parquet: for every Serbian basket the Spanish response comes ready for absolute parity at 55 after a basket from Montero in the middle of the period. Bonga and Brown try to extend the lead, Brown scores the guest’s +4, but the end of the quarter bears the signature of Thompson who, with 2 triples in a row, brings his team to 65-63 with 10 minutes on the clock.
It’s Thompson again who scores for Valencia with point number 17 of the evening and +4 taronja. Brown, Pradilla, Osetkowski and 69-68 before the hosts went 6-0 for maximum advantage with just under 4′ to play. Osetkowski again for Partizan before the Reuvers show: 5 points in a row (14 total) which give Pedro Martinez’s men 3 possessions ahead at 80-71. Final all taronja with the hosts who spread winning 86-73. Thirteenth victory for the Spaniards who end the first round at the top.
